Clariant Joins EU Circular Plastics Alliance

Clariant, a focused, sustainable and innovative specialty chemicals company, has announced its official joining of the EU Circular Plastics Alliance. The alliance aims to advance plastic recycling in line with the targets of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and the Green Deal programme. Clariant's participation is part of the company's active support for the transition to a more circular plastic economy. Bernd Hoegemann, Chief Transformation Officer at Clariant, said: "The transition to a global circular plastic economy is an enormous challenge that can only be achieved through ambitious commitments, collaborations and active stakeholder dialogue. As part of the Circular Plastics Alliance, Clariant looks forward to working closely with other key players to advance plastic circularity across Europe." Clariant is committed to the alliance's target of raising the EU market to 10 million tonnes by 2025. The company's focus is on addressing barriers that prevent a higher product cycle in the plastic value chain in accordance with waste hierarchy principles. Clariant's strategy is based on a smart combination of design for reduction, recycling and reuse options as well as mechanical or chemical recycling solutions. Richard Haldimann, Head of Sustainability Transformation, said: "Specialty chemicals can act as enablers for new solutions that increase the circularity of plastics by preserving the value of products, materials and resources in the economy for as long as possible and minimizing waste generation. Clariant aims to be a leading provider of specialty chemicals that are essential for transforming a one-way plastic value chain into a circular plastic economy." In 2019, Clariant also established EcoCircle, a company-wide initiative that goes beyond a product focus, looks at the entire value chain, and identifies the most sustainable and viable solutions for a circular plastic economy. Richard Haldimann said: "With EcoCircle, we have the right platform and capabilities to identify solutions for closing the loop and to engage with key stakeholders to accelerate plastic circularity."